Written Answers Monday 14 December 2009

Scottish Executive

Alcohol

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing or the Minister for Public Health and Sport instructed NHS board chairs to publicly support minimum alcohol pricing at their recent meeting.

Nicola Sturgeon: No.

Ambulance Service

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any part of the Scottish Ambulance Service has altered patterns of ambulance cover as a result of financial constraints.

Nicola Sturgeon: No.

Asylum Seekers

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are for the detention of asylum seeking children of the UK Government’s removal of its reservation concerning the provisions in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child relating to immigration control.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is totally opposed to the detention of children of asylum seekers in Dungavel or elsewhere and fully supports the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

  Asylum is reserved to the UK Government and it would be for them to inform you of any implications regarding the removal of the reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its current practice to detain children in Dungavel and elsewhere.

Asylum Seekers

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are being made to continue to fund and develop programmes that take a progressive approach to failed asylum seekers as an alternative to detention.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is totally opposed to the detention of children of asylum seekers in Dungavel or elsewhere.

  We are currently supporting the Family Returns Project in Glasgow for three years. The project will run as an alternative to detention pilot for families with children. We are also co-funding an evaluation of the pilot which will be used to stimulate further discussion around potential future role out.

Cancer

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made to use teledermatology in the triage of suspected skin cancer.

Nicola Sturgeon: A successful pilot on teledermatology has been completed by the Scottish Centre for Telehealth (SCT). The SCT has recently become part of NHS24. As a service delivery and improvement organisation NHS24 will provide a national focus for telehealth related activity. NHS 24 and the SCT are developing a national telehealth strategy and business plan in consultation with stakeholders. Next steps for projects such as the teledermatology project will be considered as part of this process which will be complete by April 2010.

Cancer

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of women eligible for the Scottish Breast Screening Programme takes up the service.

Nicola Sturgeon: Information on uptake rates for the Scottish Breast Screening Programme is publicly available and published by the Information Services Division at:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/1622.html.

Central Heating

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many households have received support from the Home Insulation Scheme in 2009-10, broken down by area.

Alex Neil: Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) assessors began visits to houses in the 10 HIS areas in November. In the period to 6 December, which covers the first month of activity by assessors, 12,091 households had received an energy audit generating 4,667 referrals for the measures available. This includes referrals generated by HIS assessors for 1,193 measures provided under the Energy Assistance Package. The position by area is shown in the following table.

  Measures Requested

  

Area
Home Energy Check reports requested
HIS Cavity Wall Insulation
HIS Top-Up Loft Insulation
HIS Virgin Loft Insulation
EAP Benefit Checks


Angus
1,102
22
188
31
7


Dundee
548
64
185
37
1


Edinburgh
1,708
365
330
57
47


Fife
1,729
230
439
40
31


Glasgow
1,696
89
153
39
6


Highland
654
90
256
14
19


Orkney
148
31
65
12
8


South Lanarkshire
703
38
28
17
0


Stirling
2,683
34
38
50
5


Western Isles (Lewis and Harris)
1,120
151
331
50
32


Overall Total
12,091
1,114
2,013
347
156



  

Area
EAP Social Tariff
CERT and EAP Cavity Wall Insulation
CERT and EAP Virgin Loft Insulation
EAP Stage 4
Total Measures Referred


Angus
20
16
17
13
314


Dundee
6
11
21
7
332


Edinburgh
88
42
33
25
987


Fife
64
64
55
57
980


Glasgow
17
31
18
26
379


Highland
23
19
22
23
466


Orkney
11
1
1
13
142


South Lanarkshire
10
6
1
1
101


Stirling
13
7
13
6
166


Western Isles (Lewis and Harris)
56
49
42
89
800


Overall Total
308
246
223
260
4,667



  Note: The data relates to the period 2 November 2009 to 6 December 2009.

Central Heating

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been of measures issued under the Home Insulation Scheme in 2009-10, broken down by area.

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per recipient has been of measures issued under the Home Insulation Scheme in 2009-10, broken down by area.

Alex Neil: Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) assessors began visits to every house in a HIS area in November, with the exception of those households who have previously responded by other means such as in response to a direct mailing. The assessors are currently working to invite householders to sign up for HIS measures and given that the scheme is in an early stage the majority of referrals remain at the technical survey stage.

  It will be possible to provide further information on costs when significant numbers of measures have been installed.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an amount for touring is included in Scottish Ballet’s budget.

Fiona Hyslop: The grant from the Scottish Government contributes to all areas of Scottish Ballet’s work. A proportion of this work includes touring in Scotland and the UK. There is an additional fund available to the National Performing Companies to support international touring and Scottish Ballet received £100,000 towards their successful visit to China this year.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Scottish Ballet.

Fiona Hyslop: My predecessor met with Scottish Ballet on 1 September and opened their new head quarters at Tramway in Glasgow on 17 September 2009. Officials meet with Scottish Ballet periodically, most recently on 1 December 2009.

Culture

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to promote Scottish Ballet.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government core funds Scottish Ballet by £4.713 million as one of Scotland’s five National Performing Companies. The Scottish Government has helped Scottish Ballet to celebrate its 40th anniversary season, contributed to the costs of the new headquarters in Glasgow, and performances at the Edinburgh International Festival and its highly successful Tour to China earlier this year. In addition, Scotland.org website continues to promote Scottish Ballet.

Digital Technology

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to increase the capacity of the Strathardle telephone exchange to improve broadband connectivity.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to increase the capacity of the Fern telephone exchange to improve broadband connectivity.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to increase the capacity of the Menmuir telephone exchange to improve broadband connectivity.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government announced on 9 December 2009 that it has agreed with BT a programme of upgrades to 71 Scottish rural telephone exchanges which are currently operating at, or approaching, full capacity. The first upgrades will be complete from March 2010. In addition, BT is also investigating further upgrades to a smaller number of similarly affected exchanges and we hope to be in a position to announce even more upgrades in due course. Please refer to our news release at the following website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/12/09142338 .

  I am pleased to confirm that Strathardle, Fern and Menmuir exchanges will be upgraded in this programme. The indicative upgrade date for Strathardle exchange is 8 June 2010. The indicative upgrade dates for Fern and Menmuir exchanges will be announced in due course at the following website www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk.

Education

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the pupil uptake rate is of the science baccalaureate.

Keith Brown: As of 3 December 2009, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) had received 125 entries for the Scottish Science Baccalaureate. It is expected that further entries will be received from a number of centres.

Education

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the pupil uptake rate is of the languages baccalaureate.

Keith Brown: As of 3 December 2009, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) had received 27 entries for the Scottish Languages Baccalaureate. It is expected that further entries will be received from a number of centres.

Education

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage uptake of the baccalaureate is, broken down by local authority.

Keith Brown: Details of the percentage of schools in each local authority who have entered pupils for the Scottish Science and Languages Baccalaureates can be found in the following table:

  

Local Authority
No. of Secondary Schools
No. of Secondary Schools with Entries for Languages Baccalaureate
% of Secondary Schools Presenting Pupils for Languages Baccalaureate


City of Aberdeen
12
0
n/a


Aberdeenshire
17
1
5.9%


Angus
8
0
n/a


Clackmannanshire
3
1
33.3%


Dumfries and Galloway
16
0
n/a


City of Dundee
10
0
n/a


East Ayrshire
9
0
n/a


East Renfrewshire 
7
1
14.3%


City of Edinburgh
23
3
13.0%


Falkirk 
8
0
n/a


Fife 
19
1
5.3%


City of Glasgow
30
1
3.3%


Highland 
30
1
3.3%


North Lanarkshire 
24
0
n/a


Perth and Kinross
10
1
10.0%


South Lanarkshire 
17
0
n/a


Stirling 
7
1
14.3%


West Dunbartonshire 
6
0
n/a


West Lothian 
11
1
9.1%



  

Local Authority
No. of Secondary Schools with Entries for Science Baccalaureate
% of Secondary Schools Presenting Pupils for Science Baccalaureate


City of Aberdeen
2
16.7%


Aberdeenshire
0
n/a


Angus
2
25.0%


Clackmannanshire
1
33.3%


Dumfries and Galloway
2
12.5%


City of Dundee
6
60.0%


East Ayrshire
1
11.1%


East Renfrewshire
5
71.4%


City of Edinburgh
3
13.0%


Falkirk
2
25.0%


Fife
0
n/a


City of Glasgow
0
n/a


Highland
1
3.3%


North Lanarkshire
3
12.5%


Perth and Kinross
1
10.0%


South Lanarkshire
1
5.9%


Stirling
4
57.1%


West Dunbartonshire
2
33.3%


West Lothian
1
9.1%



  Notes:

  1. Figures on number of schools with entries for Science and Language Baccalaureates are from Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and are correct as of 3 December 2009.

  2. Figures on number of secondary schools by local authority are from Pupils in Scotland, 2008.

Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many postgraduate primary teaching degree places (a) have been funded in each year since 2000 and (b) are expected to be funded in each of the next five years.

Keith Brown: The table shows the number of full-time equivalent Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (one year PGDE) primary places funded in each year since 2000.

  

Academic Year
PGDE Primary


2000-01
1,316


2001-02
1,329


2002-03
404


2003-04
475


2004-05
1,005


2005-06
1,455


2006-07
1,555


2007-08
1,255


2008-09
1,655


2009-10
1,355



  Note: Figures for 2000-01 and 2001-02 include PGDE secondary places as the Scottish Funding Council in these years did not spilt these places into two separate areas.

  The Scottish Government carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise that underpins advice to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on intakes to initial teacher education courses. Decisions have not yet been announced relating to 2010-11 and subsequent years.

Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many postgraduate secondary teaching degree places (a) have been funded in each year since 2000 and (b) are expected to be funded in each of the next five years.

Keith Brown: The following table shows the number of full-time equivalent Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (one year PGDE) secondary places funded in each year since 2000.

  

Academic Year
PGDE Secondary


2000-01
1,316


2001-02
1,329


2002-03
805


2003-04
950


2004-05
1,305


2005-06
1,905


2006-07
1,710


2007-08
1,210


2008-09
1,005


2009-10
905



  Note: Figures for 2000-01 and 2001-02 include PGDE primary places as the Scottish Funding Council in these years did not spilt these places into two separate areas.

  The Scottish Government carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise that underpins advice to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on intakes to initial teacher education courses. Decisions have not yet been announced relating to 2010-11 and subsequent years.

Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many undergraduate primary teaching degree places (a) have been funded in each year since 2000 and (b) are expected to be funded in each of the next five years.

Keith Brown: The following table shows the number of full-time equivalent Bachelor of Education (four year BEd) primary places funded in each year since 2000.

  

Academic Year
BEd Primary


2000-01
2,200


2001-02
2,283


2002-03
2,346


2003-04
2,415


2004-05
2,429


2005-06
2,451


2006-07
2,439


2007-08
2,500


2008-09
2,765


2009-10
3,253



  Note: Numbers of BEd places cover students in years one to four of courses.

  The Scottish Government carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise that underpins advice to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on intakes to initial teacher education courses. Decisions have not yet been announced relating to 2010-11 and subsequent years.

Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many undergraduate secondary teaching degree places (a) have been funded in each year since 2000 and (b) are expected to be funded in each of the next five years.

Keith Brown: The following table shows the number of full-time equivalent Bachelor of Education (four year BEd) secondary places funded in each year since 2000.

  

Academic Year
BEd Secondary


2000-01
617


2001-02
599


2002-03
623


2003-04
677


2004-05
716


2005-06
713


2006-07
678


2007-08
695


2008-09
680


2009-10
678



  Note: Numbers of BEd places cover students in years one to four of courses.

  The Scottish Government carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise that underpins advice to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on intakes to initial teacher education courses. Decisions have not yet been announced relating to 2010-11 and subsequent years.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the prohibition of bottom set nets in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area V1a being lifted would result in bottom set net fisheries being reopened.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made for monitoring incidental capture and killing of animals listed in Annex IV(a) of the EU habitats directive if the ban on static nets in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area VIa is lifted.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that incidental capture and killing will not have a negative impact on the species listed in Annex IV(a) of the EU habitats directive if the ban on static nets in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area VIa is lifted.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be made available to monitor the effects of static nets in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area VIa if the ban on them is lifted.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, if the ban on static nets were to be lifted, whether it would be considered reckless under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2007 to set static nets in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area VIa where porpoises were known to be present.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the decision to lift the prohibition on the use of static nets in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area VIa amounts to reopening the static net fishery and, if so, whether a decision to reopen the fishery would constitute a plan or project within the meaning of Article 6 (3) of the EU habitats directive.

Richard Lochhead: The prohibition of Tangle Nets in the West Coast of Scotland ICES Area VIA was agreed by the European Union Council of Ministers in December 2008 as part of a package of emergency measures to protect Cod, Haddock and Whiting in 2009. The measure had a 12 month duration, after which it was due to expire automatically. It has, however, recently been extended by a further 18 months to 30 June 2011. Once this period has elapsed, the measure will expire automatically, unless it is again extended. It is also possible that the measure will be replaced before its expiry with alternative management arrangements, depending on the speed with which a new Technical Conservation Regulation is negotiated (under co-decision with the European Parliament).

  The arrangements for bringing forward proposals for a new Technical Conservation Regulation will be a matter for the newly appointed Commission to determine in the New Year. The Scottish Government will determine its position in light of any new proposals which may be forthcoming.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been taken to ask the European Union to lift the use of bottom set nets in the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area V1a and, if not, whether the Scottish Government will consult Scottish Natural Heritage, environmental NGOs, the wildlife tourism industry and Scottish Subaqua Club prior to such a decision being taken.

Richard Lochhead: The prohibition of Tangle Nets in the West Coast of Scotland ICES Area VIA was agreed by the European Union Council of Ministers in December 2008 as part of a package of emergency measures to protect Cod, Haddock and Whiting in 2009. The measure had a 12 month duration, after which it was due to expire automatically. It has, however, recently been extended by a further 18 months to 30 June 2011. Once this period has elapsed, the measure will expire automatically, unless it is again extended. It is also possible that the measure will be replaced before its expiry with alternative management arrangements, depending on the speed with which a new Technical Conservation Regulation is negotiated (under co-decision with the European Parliament).

  The arrangements for bringing forward proposals for a new Technical Conservation Regulation will be a matter for the newly appointed Commission to determine in the New Year. The Scottish Government will determine its position in light of any new proposals which may be forthcoming.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has consulted Scottish Natural Heritage or any conservation, wildlife tourism or diving NGOs regarding the reopening of crawfish fishing in the Firth of Lorne special area of conservation (SAC) and other SACs.

Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29452 on 14 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether an assessment has been carried out under section 6(3) of the EU habitats directive as to whether the Firth of Lorne fishery can be reopened and, if so, what species and what net usage have been included in this assessment.

Richard Lochhead: The Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation is currently closed to scallop dredging while research is carried out into the possible impact of scallop dredging on the reefs for which the site was designated. There are presently no plans to reopen the site to scallop dredging until the research is complete.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many seals have been killed as bycatch in bottom set nets in Scottish waters in each year since 1999.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of fishing boats using static nets was visited by independent observers from 1984 to 2009.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what means of monitoring bycatch were used from 1984 to 2009.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the arrangements made for monitoring bycatch from 1984 to 2009 were adequate to meet the requirements of the EU habitats directive.

Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29456 on 9 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many boats in the set net fishery were (a) within the six mile limit, (b) from six to 12 miles and (c) offshore of the 12-mile limit in each year from 1984 to 2009; what type of nets were used; how many kilometres of net were set, and what the main target species were in each area.

Richard Lochhead: Information on length of net deployed is insufficiently complete for reliable information to be provided on how many kilometres of net were set. The other data requested is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 49869).

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many kilometres of static nets were lost or discarded at sea in each year since 1989.

Richard Lochhead: A preliminary analysis of data from the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) observer programme (2007) estimated that about 370 km of netting is lost by UK fisheries annually, based on observations of 16,536 fleets of nets hauled between 1996 and 2007.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on how long it takes for static nets to degrade in the marine environment until they are no longer considered to be a danger to marine wildlife.

Richard Lochhead: We are aware that a number of European Institutes have carried out research into lost fishing gear, with the UK being involved in the studies.

  The effective fishing area of nets shows an early and rapid drop as the nets collapse but this is fishery- and site-specific, taking between six weeks and two years.

  In inshore fisheries nets quickly diminish due to environmental conditions such as wave action and tidal scouring. In deeper water, greater than 400m, nets degrade at a much slower rate.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) porpoises, (b) seals and (c) seabirds are estimated to be killed in lost fishing nets each year.

Richard Lochhead: There is no specific data available on marine mammal and seabird mortality due to lost fishing nets. However, Sea Mammal Research Unit advice, based on information from research studies on the effects of lost fishing nets, suggests that few marine mammals and birds are caught in UK waters in lost nets.

Fisheries

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the judgment in the European Court of Justice Waddenzee case, whether the static net fishery in special areas of conservation is a plan or project within the meaning of Article 6 (3) of the EU habitats directive.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is of the view that static net fishing in a Special Area of Conservation is not a plan or project as referred to in Article 6(3) of the EC Habitats Directive.

Further and Higher Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £30 million announced for student support by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 28 October 2009 ( Official Report c. 20531) is from savings through fiscal drag on the parental income thresholds.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £30 million announced for student support by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 28 October 2009 ( Official Report c. 20531) is from efficiency savings, broken down by (a) type of saving and (b) year accrued.

Michael Russell: The £30 million announced for student support is new money for 2010-11.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how telemedicine is used to carry out aortic aneurysm checks.

Nicola Sturgeon: Telemedicine is not currently used to carry out aortic aneurysm checks.

Housing

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what shared equity schemes for prospective homeowners it is involved with in each of the local area partnership areas in North Lanarkshire; what further schemes are planned, and whether it is aware of any other shared equity schemes operated or planned by other bodies in each of these areas.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government does not hold this information at North Lanarkshire Council’s local area partnership areas. However, through the existing range of Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) schemes operated by the government, prospective homeowners across North Lanarkshire have access to the following:

  - The New Supply Shared Equity Scheme (NSSE) which allows first time buyers to buy a new build property. A list of shared equity developments receiving government funding is available from the Scottish Government’s website at www.scotland.gov.uk.

  - Open Market Shared Equity Pilot (OMSEP) – a pilot scheme to allow first time buyers to buy a property on the open market.

  Regarding further planned schemes, we intend to carry out an independent evaluation of the LIFT shared equity schemes next year, in the meantime, we are reviewing the relative balance of support for the LIFT schemes in the planning of the 2010-11 Affordable Housing Investment Programme.

  While we are aware that a number of developers have introduced their own shared equity schemes to assist prospective homeowners, we do not hold information on these initiatives.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of community service orders begins (a) within seven days, (b) between 8 and 14 days, (c) between 15 and 31 days and (d) more than a month after sentencing, broken down by local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally. However, an audit of individual local authority performance on the commencement and completion periods for community service orders was undertaken at the end of 2008. This was based on a snapshot of throughput at November 2008. The results of the audit were lodged with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre on 24 April 2009 (Bib. number 47783). A follow up audit based on figures from November 2009 is planned to commence in January 2010 to measure progress achieved over the intervening 12 months. On completion of the follow up audit copies of the findings will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 49886).

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22851 on 23 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting time is between sentence and commencement of a community service order in each local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: The information is not held centrally. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29490 on 14 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Licensing

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to combat rogue traders.

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider issuing licences for tradespeople.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to consumer protection and therefore in relation to rogue traders and the licensing of tradespeople. The Office of Fair Trading works to protect consumers across all parts of the UK and oversees the Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network in which local authorities may choose to participate.

Marine Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers Palinurus to be a typical species that inhabits reefs; if not, of what habitat it considers Palinurus to be a typical species, and what advice Scottish Natural Heritage has given on the subject.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Joint Nature Conservation Committee has proposed Palinurus for protection under the next review of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Richard Lochhead: The Spiny Lobster, Palinurus elephas, is a species that is typically associated with rocky reefs. As part of the Fifth Quinquennial Review of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) proposed Palinurus elaphus for protection in England and Wales only. It did not make any recommendation for protection of this species in Scotland. The Scottish Government is currently considering its response to JNCC’s proposals and has held preliminary discussions with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in that connection.

NHS Hospitals

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the value was of each tender for the new Southern General Hospital; what due diligence was carried out on each tenderer, and whether concerns have been expressed to the Scottish Executive regarding the successful tenderer.

Nicola Sturgeon: The detailed process to evaluate the bids submitted was set out to all bidders prior to their preparing bids. The requirement to select the successful bidder was on the basis of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). This required the board to consider each of the tenders on a qualitative and quantitative basis. MEAT was defined in the process, and discussed with bidders, as the offer that provides the greatest ratio of quality points for each pound of price.

  The qualitative part of the evaluation considered aspects in three key areas, namely; design, logistics and commercial and the detailed evaluation process set out to bidders was followed rigorously by the board.

  The quantitative or financial score was based on a pricing structure that bidders were required to follow and is part of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) 3 suite of documents recommended for use by the Office of Government Commerce. This is an industry standard form of contract familiar to all bidders. Key elements of the financial evaluation were:

  • The target and maximum price offered by bidders, and in particular affordability, and

  • The bidders proposals for sharing both cost under and over spends (Pain/Gain).

  Due diligence was undertaken on all bids to consider legal, financial and technical requirements that had been included in the OJEU advert. For further detail on the evaluation process I refer the member to the answer to questions S3W-29005 and S3W-29006 on 1 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

  A number of parliamentary questions and items of ministerial correspondence following the announcement of preferred bidder have been received and appropriately addressed.

Prison Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15370 by Kenny MacAskill on 15 August 2008, how many prison visiting areas have been equipped with body orifice security scanner chairs since 15 August 2008 and which prisons use or plan to use such chairs.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  No prison visiting areas have been equipped with Body Orifice Security Scanner chairs since 15 August 2008 and nor do we have any plans to use chairs in any of these areas.

Prison Service

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many sentenced foreign nationals were released from prisons in each of the last 12 months.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  There have been a total of 766 liberations of sentenced Foreign Nationals since 1 December 2008. The following table gives a breakdown by month.

  

Month
Number of Liberations


December 2008
77


January 2009
54


February 2009
59


March 2009
51


April 2009
93


May 2009
72


June 2009
48


July 2009
67


August 2009
55


September 2009
72


October 2009
68


November 2009
50

Renewable Energy

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the population lives in (a) rural and (b) remote areas, broken down by (i) region, (ii) UK Parliament constituency and (iii) Scottish Parliament constituency.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification defines rural areas as settlements with a population of less than 3,000 people and remote areas as settlements with a drive time of over 30 minutes to a settlement of 10,000 or more people. Based on these definitions, the information is as follows:

  (i) Percentage of Population in Rural and Remote Areas, by Scottish Parliamentary Regions (Source: General Register Office for Scotland)

  

Region
Rural %
Remote %


Central
7.3
0.0


Glasgow
0.2
0.0


Highlands and Islands
54.4
66.9


Lothian
4.9
0.0


Mid Scotland and Fife
25.9
5.9


North East
22.9
10.7


South
35.9
24.2


West
7.1
1.7



  (ii) Percentage of Population in Rural and Remote Areas, by UK Parliamentary Constituencies (Source: General Register Office for Scotland)

  

UK Parliamentary Constituency
Rural %
Remote %


Aberdeen North
0.7
0.0


Aberdeen South
2.0
0.0


Airdrie and Shotts
13.7
0.0


Angus
25.9
1.0


Argyll and Bute
52.7
74.8


Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
27.8
29.7


Banff and Buchan
51.4
29.7


Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
49.5
35.4


Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
54.7
100.0


Central Ayrshire 
17.9
0.0


Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 
4.9
0.0


Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East 
6.4
0.0


Dumfries and Galloway 
36.6
30.3


Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale 
72.5
47.5


Dundee East 
5.3
0.0


Dundee West 
5.7
0.0


Dunfermline and West Fife 
14.3
0.0


East Dunbartonshire 
4.9
0.0


East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow 
5.5
0.1


East Lothian 
27.7
27.8


East Renfrewshire 
3.9
0.0


Edinburgh East 
0.1
0.0


Edinburgh North and Leith 
0.0
0.0


Edinburgh South 
0.1
0.0


Edinburgh South West 
0.8
0.0


Edinburgh West 
4.3
0.0


Falkirk 
7.6
0.0


Glasgow Central 
0.0
0.0


Glasgow East 
0.3
0.0


Glasgow North 
0.2
0.0


Glasgow North East 
0.1
0.0


Glasgow North West 
0.0
0.0


Glasgow South 
0.1
0.0


Glasgow South West 
0.3
0.0


Glenrothes 
7.1
0.0


Gordon 
38.8
24.5


Inverclyde 
5.2
0.0


Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey 
31.5
29.3


Kilmarnock and Loudoun 
20.0
3.6


Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath 
6.4
0.0


Lanark and Hamilton East 
19.3
0.0


Linlithgow and East Falkirk 
10.7
0.0


Livingston 
10.8
0.0


Midlothian 
17.1
0.0


Moray 
44.0
28.4


Motherwell and Wishaw 
3.4
0.0


Na h-Eileanan an Iar 
78.2
100.0


North Ayrshire and Arran 
12.2
7.1


North East Fife 
43.4
0.0


Ochil and South Perthshire 
39.7
12.0


Orkney and Shetland 
68.7
100.0


Paisley and Renfrewshire North 
3.5
0.0


Paisley and Renfrewshire South 
5.2
0.0


Perth and North Perthshire 
37.7
22.4


Ross, Skye and Lochaber 
77.1
77.3


Rutherglen and Hamilton West 
0.3
0.0


Stirling 
34.6
7.3


West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine 
52.5
18.4


West Dunbartonshire 
1.4
0.0



  (iii) Percentage of Population in Rural and Remote Areas, by Scottish Parliamentary Constituencies (Source: Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification 2007-08)

  

Scottish Parliamentary Constituency
Rural %
Remote %


Aberdeen Central
0.0
0.0


Aberdeen North
2.5
0.0


Aberdeen South
2.4
0.0


Airdrie and Shotts
18.2
0.0


Angus
28.7
0.0


Argyll and Bute
57.7
100.0


Ayr
13.7
0.0


Banff and Buchan
49.9
23.1


Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
58.0
100.0


Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
43.2
37.0


Central Fife
2.2
0.0


Clydebank and Milngavie
1.1
0.0


Clydesdale
38.0
4.5


Coatbridge and Chryston
6.6
0.0


Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
4.7
0.0


Cunninghame North
15.5
9.5


Cunninghame South
5.0
0.0


Dumbarton
16.3
5.1


Dumfries
38.8
34.1


Dundee East
0.0
0.0


Dundee West
0.1
0.0


Dunfermline East
8.4
0.0


Dunfermline West
16.0
0.0


East Kilbride
5.0
0.1


East Lothian
32.7
33.1


Eastwood
3.9
0.0


Edinburgh Central
0.0
0.0


Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
0.3
0.0


Edinburgh North and Leith
0.0
0.0


Edinburgh Pentlands
1.0
0.0


Edinburgh South
0.1
0.0


Edinburgh West
5.0
0.0


Falkirk East
14.8
0.0


Falkirk West
3.3
0.0


Galloway and Upper Nithsdale
61.2
52.4


Glasgow Anniesland
0.0
0.0


Glasgow Baillieston
0.4
0.0


Glasgow Cathcart
0.2
0.0


Glasgow Govan
0.0
0.0


Glasgow Kelvin
0.0
0.0


Glasgow Maryhill
0.3
0.0


Glasgow Pollok
0.4
0.0


Glasgow Rutherglen
0.3
0.0


Glasgow Shettleston
0.0
0.0


Glasgow Springburn
0.1
0.0


Gordon
54.9
44.2


Greenock and Inverclyde
4.7
0.0


Hamilton North and Bellshill
0.2
0.0


Hamilton South
2.0
0.0


Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber
35.5
49.2


Kilmarnock and Loudoun
15.2
0.0


Kirkcaldy
10.3
0.0


Linlithgow
15.3
0.0


Livingston
5.9
0.0


Midlothian
20.2
0.0


Moray
44.4
22.3


Motherwell and Wishaw
0.4
0.0


North East Fife
45.7
0.0


North Tayside
50.6
27.4


Ochil
28.2
0.0


Orkney Islands
67.3
100.0


Paisley North
0.5
0.0


Paisley South
0.9
0.0


Perth
33.4
13.9


Ross, Skye and Inverness West
66.2
54.2


Roxburgh and Berwickshire
55.0
53.0


Shetland Islands
70.0
100.0


Stirling
31.6
9.0


Strathkelvin and Bearsden
7.3
0.0


Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale
35.5
5.1


West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
52.0
20.2


West Renfrewshire
12.0
0.0


Western Isles
78.2
100.0

Renewable Energy

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how its agencies are working with energy co-operatives to help meet its renewable energy targets.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government recognises the value of the co-operative business model as a way of financing renewable energy projects. This is reflected in the membership of the new Community Renewables Implementation Group, a subgroup of the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) which includes a number of parties promoting the co-operative model.

  In addition, the co-operative model for renewable energy projects is one of the options suggested to communities in the Scottish Government’s Community Renewable Energy Toolkit, available online at http://www.scotland.gov.uk

Renewable Energy

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what average financial contribution it has made to the establishment of wind farm developments.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government does not provide funding for commercial wind farms. Since the launch of the Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) in 2003 and its successor the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) in April 2009, the Scottish Government has allocated 125 capital grants worth a total of £3.1 million to eligible not-for-profit community based organisations developing wind turbine projects. The average financial contribution is therefore around £25,000.

Science

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations on the plans to move the British Geological Survey core store from Edinburgh to Keyworth.

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of concerns among practising oil and gas geologists and academics about the plans to move the British Geological Survey core store from Edinburgh to Keyworth.

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the removal of the British Geological Survey core store will have implications for the integrity of samples and their future utility as well as for accessibility to geologists.

Jim Mather: Following representations from academics and others to the Scottish Government, the First Minister is making representations to the British Geological Survey (BGS) urging them to reconsider their decision and retain the core store at Gilmerton. I have also written to BGS in similar terms.

  Discussions on this issue continue with BGS, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and others. We have raised particular concerns regarding the scope of the initial BGS consultation process before this decision was made.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on its review of the Scottish Qualification Authority’s accommodation in Dalkeith.

Keith Brown: We are very conscious of the need for an announcement to be made on this issue. However, it is vital that any conclusion delivers the best possible balance between value for money and the effective delivery of the key services provided by the Scottish Qualifications Authority for the people of Scotland. While resolving that balance within the context of a rapidly changing property market has proved more challenging than expected, we will make an announcement as soon as we are in a position to do so.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many instances were recorded by Fife Constabulary of wildlife crime known to be commissioned by overseas individuals or groups, also expressed as a percentage in each year since 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The data requested is not held centrally. The data held centrally is based on an aggregate return, so it is not possible to distinguish the circumstances of the crime, or the perpetrator.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the categories of wildlife crime recorded by Fife Constabulary in each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table:

  Categories of Wildlife Offences1 Recorded by Fife Constabulary from 1999-2000 to 2008-09

  

Offences1


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)


Offences involving birds


Hunting with dogs1


Cruelty to wild animals1


Offences involving badgers1


Other wildlife offences1



  Note: 1. In financial year 2002-03, crime codes were introduced to cover offences of "Hunting with Dogs", "Cruelty to Wild Animals", "Offences Involving Badgers" and "Other Wildlife Offences", which (excluding Hunting with dogs) would have previously been recorded under a different offence; but within the same Animal/Plant category.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many wildlife crimes in each of the five most common types of wildlife crime were committed in the Fife Constabulary area, also expressed as a percentage of all detected wildlife crimes in each year from April 1999 to April 2009.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table:

  Number of Wildlife Offences Recorded and Cleared Up by Fife Constabulary, 1999-2000 to 2008-09.

  Recorded

  

Offence 
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle
6
15
7
9
3
7
4
4
1
0


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)
0
2
1
1
0
0
1
2
6
13


Offences involving birds
4
0
4
2
6
6
0
0
0
1


Hunting with dogs1
-
-
-
0
0
1
0
2
0
1


Cruelty to wild animals1
-
-
-
0
0
0
3
5
4
2


Offences involving badgers1
-
-
-
0
0
0
2
0
1
3


Other wildlife offences1
-
-
-
0
0
0
42
4
35
1


Total
10
17
12
12
9
14
52
17
47
21



  Cleared Up

  

Offence 
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle
4
6
4
4
0
3
2
2
0
0


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
6


Offences involving birds
3
0
1
2
4
1
0
0
0
1


Hunting with dogs1
-
-
-
0
0
1
0
0
0
0


Cruelty to wild animals1
-
-
-
0
0
0
2
2
2
2


Offences involving badgers1
-
-
-
0
0
0
1
0
0
0


Other wildlife offences1
-
-
-
0
0
0
27
4
32
1


Total
7
8
6
6
5
5
32
8
35
10



  Percentage Cleared Up (%)

  

Offence 
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle
67
40
57
44
0
43
50
50
0
.


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)
0
100
100
0
.
.
0
0
17
46


Offences involving birds
75
.
25
100
67
17
.
.
.
100


Hunting with dogs1
-
-
-
.
.
100
.
0
.
0


Cruelty to wild animals1
-
-
-
.
.
.
67
40
50
100


Offences involving badgers1
-
-
-
.
.
.
50
.
0
0


Other wildlife offences1
-
-
-
.
.
.
64
100
91
100


Total
70
47
50
50
56
36
62
47
74
48



  Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.

  Notes:

  "-" Offence not active within financial year.

  1. In financial year 2002-03, crime codes were introduced to cover offences of "Hunting with Dogs", "Cruelty to Wild Animals", "Offences Involving Badgers" and "Other Wildlife Offences", which (excluding Hunting with dogs) would have previously been recorded under a different offence; but within the same Animal/Plant category.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many wildlife crimes recorded by Fife Constabulary led to a conviction, also expressed as a percentage of the total number of convictions in each year from April 1999 to April 2009.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons with a Charge Proved for Wildlife Crime Offences1, in Fife Police Area, 1999-2000 - 2008-09

  

 
Scotland
Fife
as % of total


1999-2000
84
3
4


2000-01
72
3
4


2001-02
57
0
0


2002-03
51
2
4


2003-04
75
2
3


2004-05
72
3
4


2005-06
90
2
2


2006-07
110
3
3


2007-08
130
3
2



  Note: 1. Where main offence. Includes the offences categories of cruelty to animals (excluding dogs), animal offences (excluding dogs and birds), offences involving birds, hunting with dogs, cruelty to wild animals, offences involving badgers, and other wildlife offences.

  Some caution is needed when comparing figures between recorded crime and court proceedings as a person may be proceeded against for more than one crime and there is the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. In addition a crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the penalties were for wildlife crime-related convictions in the Fife Constabulary area for each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons with a Charge Proved for Wildlife Crime Offences1, in Fife Police Area, by Disposal, 1999-2000 to 2008-09

  

Main Result of Proceedings
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08


Community sentence
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0


Monetary
3
2
0
2
2
3
1
3
1


Admonished
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2


All
3
3
0
2
2
3
2
3
3



  Note: 1. Where main offence. Includes the offences categories of cruelty to animals (excluding dogs), animal offences (excluding dogs and birds), offences involving birds, hunting with dogs, cruelty to wild animals, offences involving badgers, and other wildlife offences.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Fife Constabulary has allocated to the investigation and detection of wildlife crime, also expressed as a percentage of its overall budget, in each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally. Operational deployment of resources is a matter for the Chief Constables of Scottish Police Forces.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the types of species most commonly targeted in wildlife crime in the Fife Constabulary area, in each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The data requested is not held centrally. The data held centrally is based on an aggregate return, so it is not possible to distinguish the circumstances of the crime, or the types of species most commonly targeted in wildlife crime.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of those convicted of wildlife crimes in the Fife Constabulary area were resident in Scotland, also expressed as a percentage of those convicted, in each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many instances were recorded by Strathclyde Police of wildlife crime known to be commissioned by overseas individuals or groups, also expressed as a percentage in each year since 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The data requested is not held centrally. The data held centrally is based on an aggregate return, so it is not possible to distinguish the circumstances of the crime, or the perpetrator.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the categories of wildlife crime recorded by Strathclyde Police in each year from April 1999 to April 2009.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table:

  Categories of Wildlife Offences1 Recorded by Strathclyde Police from 1999-2000 to 2008-09

  

Offences1


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)


Offences involving birds


Hunting with dogs1


Cruelty to wild animals1


Offences involving badgers1


Other wildlife offences1



  Note: 1. In financial year 2002-03, crime codes were introduced to cover offences of ‘Hunting with Dogs", "Cruelty to Wild Animals", "Offences Involving Badgers" and "Other Wildlife Offences", which (excluding Hunting with dogs) would have previously been recorded under a different offence; but within the same animal/plant category.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many wildlife crimes in each of the five most common types of wildlife crime were committed in the Strathclyde Police area, also expressed as a percentage of all detected wildlife crimes in each year from April 1999 to April 2009.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table:

  Number of Wildlife Offences Recorded, Cleared Up and Percentage Cleared Up, by Strathclyde Police force, 1999-2000 to 2008-2009

  Recorded

  

Offence
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle
15
13
17
22
43
31
40
66
27
10


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)
1
0
4
0
5
8
3
8
37
71


Offences involving birds
11
8
16
17
17
25
18
20
17
13


Hunting with dogs1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
4


Cruelty to wild animals1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
1


Offences involving badgers1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Other wildlife offences1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
15


Total
27
21
37
39
65
64
61
94
81
114



  Cleared up

  

Offence
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle
13
9
8
19
32
20
17
40
20
3


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)
1
0
2
0
4
7
3
6
23
49


Offences involving birds
8
7
11
11
14
19
16
17
12
5


Hunting with dogs1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
2


Cruelty to wild animals1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
1


Offences involving badgers1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Other wildlife offences1
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
12


Total
22
16
21
30
50
46
36
63
55
72



  Percentage Cleared Up (%)

  

Offence 
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09


Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs) including killing and maiming cattle
87
69
47
86
74
65
43
61
74
30


Offences involving Animals (excluding dogs, birds elsewhere classified)
100
.
50
.
80
88
100
75
62
69


Offences involving birds
73
88
69
65
82
76
89
85
71
38


Hunting with dogs1
-
-
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
50


Cruelty to wild animals1
-
-
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
100


Offences involving badgers1
-
-
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.


Other wildlife offences1
-
-
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
80


Total
81
76
57
77
77
72
59
67
68
63



  Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.

  Notes:

  "-" Offence not active within financial year.

  "." Not calculated as number of offences recorded is zero.

  1. In financial year 2002-03, crime codes were introduced to cover offences of "Hunting with Dogs", "Cruelty to Wild Animals", "Offences Involving Badgers" and "Other Wildlife Offences", which (excluding Hunting with dogs) would have previously been recorded under a different offence; but within the same Animal/Plant category.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many wildlife crimes recorded by Strathclyde Police led to a conviction, also expressed as a percentage of the total number of convictions in each year from April 1999 to April 2009.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons with a Charge Proved for Wildlife Crime Offences1, in Strathclyde Police Area, 1999-2000 to 2008-09

  

 
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08


Scotland
84
72
57
51
75
72
90
110
130


Strathclyde
33
29
23
22
22
28
15
46
58


as % of total
39
40
40
43
29
39
17
42
45



  Note: 1. Where main offence. Includes the offences categories of cruelty to animals (excluding dogs), animal offences (excluding dogs and birds), offences involving birds, hunting with dogs, cruelty to wild animals, offences involving badgers, and other wildlife offences.

  Some caution is needed when comparing figures between recorded crime and court proceedings as a person may be proceeded against for more than one crime and there is the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. In addition, a crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the penalties were for wildlife crime-related convictions in the Strathclyde Police area for each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons Convicted for Wildlife Crime Offences2, in Strathclyde Police Area, by disposal, 1999-2000 to 2008-09

  

Main Result of Proceedings
1999-2000
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08


Custody
1
2
0
0
0
5
1
0
3


Community sentence
2
1
1
3
1
5
4
4
3


Monetary
24
23
16
18
18
16
10
32
45


Admonished
6
2
6
1
3
2
0
9
6


Other
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1


All
33
29
23
22
22
28
15
46
58



  Note: 1. Where main offence. Includes the offences categories of cruelty to animals (excluding dogs), animal offences (excluding dogs and birds), offences involving birds, hunting with dogs, cruelty to wild animals, offences involving badgers, and other wildlife offences.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Strathclyde Police has allocated to the investigation and detection of wildlife crime, also expressed as a percentage of its overall budget, in each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally. Operational deployment of resources is a matter for the Chief Constables of Scottish Police Forces.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the types of species most commonly targeted in wildlife crime in the Strathclyde Police area, in each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The data requested is not held centrally. The data held centrally is based on an aggregate return, so it is not possible to distinguish the circumstances of the crime, or the types of species most commonly targeted in wildlife crime.

Wildlife Crime

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of those convicted of wildlife crimes in the Strathclyde Police area were resident in Scotland, also expressed as a percentage of those convicted, in each year from April 1999.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.